Five babies died of whooping cough in England in the first three months of 2024. Whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria, is most dangerous for young infants. The disease is included in the 6-in-1 combined vaccine given to babies at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. Vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to passively protect newborns until they can be vaccinated themselves. As pertussis rates continue to rise, vaccination during pregnancy is crucial to protect babies from this potentially deadly disease. Adam Finn, a professor of paediatrics, emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing whooping cough in infants.
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Whooping cough: What’s behind the rise in cases and deaths in England?
